• Box Score

WAYNESBURG (Nov. 10) – Freshman running back Robert Heller helped Waynesburg University close its regular season in dominating fashion on Saturday afternoon, as it defeated Westminster College, 54-13, in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action at John F. Wiley Stadium on Senior Day. Against the Titans, Heller became the first player in school history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season after he totaled a single-game school record 312 yards and five touchdowns (11, 2, 21, 3, 2) on 40 attempts.

With the win, Waynesburg finishes the regular season with a 8-2 overall record and 5-1 mark in league play. The Yellow Jackets now will wait to see if they receive an at-large bid into the Division III Playoffs tomorrow at 11:30 p.m. or an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) post-season bowl game.

Heller, the nation's leading rusher and scorer, surpassed his own previous single-game rushing record with his 312 yards, while the five rushing touchdowns ties his single-game and school record. The Ringgold product is the first player in school history to rush for 300 yards in a game and already ranks eighth all-time in career rushing at Waynesburg with 2,019 yards in 10 games.

Behind the 300-yard performance by Heller, Waynesburg amassed 370 team rushing yards on 58 attempts (6.4 yards/attempt) for the fourth highest single-game total in school history.

With the score tied at 7-7 midway through the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets scored 21 unanswered points on two Heller touchdowns (2, 21) and a 5-yard touchdown plunge by senior fullback Aaron Davis to make the score 28-7 with 13:58 left before halftime.

The Titans added a fourth-down touchdown in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 28-13 (kick blocked).

Waynesburg scored touchdowns on each of its first two possessions in the second half with a 2-yard score by Heller and a 37-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Andy Lauterbach to freshman wide receiver Ray Hightower II to increase the lead to 48-13 with 00:03 seconds left in the third quarter.

Lauterbach completed 9-of-15 attempts for 167 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Hightower II led the Yellow Jackets in receiving with 115 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.

The Yellow Jackets added their final touchdown of the game with 22 seconds left in the contest when senior running back Jamelle Price added a 1-yard score.

The Waynesburg defense limited the Titans to only 35 rushing yards on 29 attempts and 188 yards of total offense – almost 150 yards below their season average.

Senior linebacker Brendon Steele led the Yellow Jackets with 11 tackles (six solo), a forced fumble and pass breakup, while sophomore safety Ryan Krull added nine stops (four solo). Senior defensive end Mike Czerwien, who entered the game leading the country in sacks and tackles for loss (TFL) finished with eight tackles (seven solo), 4.0 TFL, three sacks and a quarterback hurry. Senior safety Stefon Strothers also added eight stops (five solo) with 2.0 TFL and a sack.

If Waynesburg is selected for post-season play this weekend, it would be the third post-season appearance for the Yellow Jackets in five seasons. Waynesburg was selected for its first-ever NCAA Playoff appearance in 2003 before making the ECAC Southeast Championship game the following year.

Notes:
Waynesburg converted a perfect 7-for-inside the red zone … The Yellow Jackets accounted for a season-high 31 first downs (19 rushing, seven passing, five penalty) … The 100-yard performance by Hightower II is the first for a Waynesburg player since Nov. 12, 2005 against Westminster when two Yellow Jackets surpassed the century mark … The single-game school record for team rushing yards in 435 against Frostburg State in 1967.